I looked at and seriously considered 5 or 6 of these but came to a very solid top 2 rated and a 3rd one that I will flag up for those who might want an extra dabble.

 

THE ELECTRICIAN hosed up by 20 lengths over Course and Distance last time, making pretty much all and I suspect similar tactics will be used again. He gets a 9lbs penalty but that merely takes him back to his previous winning mark of 87 and I think he is clearly in fine fettle and the one to beat. 

 

MOVES LIKE MONTY is an unexposed 3 mile P2P winner who steps up to this intermediate trip after a couple of acclimatisation runs over too short a trip. I'm told that the Yard have high hopes for this one from a reliable source and will tip and TRACK it forwards.

 

The other one who could run a big race at nice odds is TITANIUM BULLET @ 10/1 (to 4th) who is another interesting young Chasing prospect who should come on too for a seasonal debut run. (DT)

 

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Thirsk 4.40  - Handicap - Class 6 - 6 furlongs - 14 run - Good to Firm

 

I'm convinced a high draw is still the best place here when the going gets more like summer ground and I could have selected any one of 10 horses had they been drawn higher than some are.

 

Two really stand out for me though as simply they have NO excuses not to run very well in the conditions and off a mid to high draw.

 

DREAM DEAL is drawn 13 of 14, a progressive type who has had 2 runs and ticks every box. ATOMISE comes from an in form yar, drawn slap bang in the middle and therefore can run straight or cover either flank and getting a few pounds off stablemate Lord Abhama tips the balance for me and makes this one an equally solid form choice (North)

 

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Haydock 6.58 Handicap - Class 5 - 6 furlongs - 16 run - Good

 

16 runners and we could pick a round dozen who you could make some kind of positive claim for but equally argue against.

 

Putting aside the market and going on known form, conditions, handicap mark and yes a fair dollop of "educated hunch" and one stands out.

 

SNASH is still only a 6 year old but runs off an incredibly lenient mark and in a far lower Class than it was running well in a couple of seasons ago. I always believe that a horse can be out of form, drop down the handicap and then find a level it can win from, gain confidence and bounce back from. I will actually be pretty disappointed if SNASH is not in the first 4-5 home here and I think a mid to high draw only increases the confidence (North)

 

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Bath 8.25 - Handicap - Class 6 - 1 mile 2 furlongs 11 run

 

The obvious pace angle comes from Jimmy Mark who could slip this field and lead them all a merry dance and actually but for Kraken Filly, I'd have tipped Jimmy Mark. I can visualise those TWO though taking each other one and basically duffing each other up.

 

That should set the race up nicely for BLUE HERO who has excellent Course form and who has dropped back to a very appealing handicap mark. UTHER PENDRAGON ran a good 4th here last time,always a danger and although the trip may be on the short side, my way in is the booking of David Egan replacing a 7lbs Claimer and the last time UTHER PENDRAGON won here was off this same mark with David Egan in the saddle, and the last time Egan rode the horse. Too much coincidence there to ignore  (TA)

 

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Clonmel 8.30 Handicap Chase - 2 miles 7 furlongs - 14 run - Good (Inner Track)

 

Not great quality here and enough doubts about the very top end of the market to look for some value.

 

I am loath to write off Fr Gilligansvoyage but I think this one would prefer rain and more cut in the ground. I'm very keen to TRACK - WILD CAPRICE @ 18/1 to 4th and with enhanced places you might like a small dabble on this one but it might just need the run off here but very much clear top 3rd rated.

 

Top rated is STORMY MASTER who has more PU than figures in its form but who tends to run best figures on its second seasonal run and who is well handicapped enough to deliver here and whose seasonal debut was actually a better run than some previous seasonal debut runs. KILASHEE is a Distance winner and has good Course form on this Inner Track. Conditions are ideal and really no excuses for a bold effort (Sean)

 

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